We recently connected with Sophie Cox and have shared our conversation below.
Sophie, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Imposter syndrome is something that affects most, if not all, entrepreneurs and small business owners. Self-doubt can be an overwhelming feeling when left unchecked. In my experience, the wisest thing for me to do when I am feeling this way is to acknowledge these thoughts, and identify where they are coming from. Authenticity is everything, and claiming to “know everything” can only last so long. Sometimes the best course of action is to admit that you are new to something, but that newness doesn’t take away your ability to learn and adopt new processes. In my personal experience, (a 23 year old business owner in the wedding industry) I am often asked about my age and background. While I have only been in my industry for close to five years, and many of my clients and colleagues are much older than myself, I do my best to move forward knowing that I bring value, an open mind, and experience to the table.
In entrepreneurship, the highs are high and the lows are low. Celebrate your achievements, and try not to dwell on the failures- just make sure to learn from them. Having humility and a growth mindset when it comes to shortcomings makes them all the more valuable. For your clients, it shows your humanity and your willingness to grow professionally and personally.
The pursuit of knowledge should never stop, so investing in your craft is key to success. Spending intentional time visualizing your ideal business/team/project, etc. I often say nothing is done alone, so including your creative team on these brainstorming sessions will open you up to ideas or concepts you might have never considered before. The most important thing is identifying your goals and conceptualizing concrete steps to achieve them.
Imposter syndrome is something that may be impossible to avoid, but can be combated with reframing your mindset and taking reassurance that almost everyone experiences it at some point in their life or career.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am the creative director & owner of Blushington Blooms Luxury Floral Design. Located in DFW and operating since 2015, BB has served hundreds of weddings and events with high end and curated florals for each and every occasion. From bouquets to floral ceilings- Blushington does it all, and we are often referred to as our clients’ event designers or decorators. As a long time employee of the company, I saw an opportunity to take on a much larger role, and after almost a year of planning and support from mentors, I was able to purchase the company in its entirety and take on an ownership role. I have always loved what I do- working with our clients and making their visions into a reality is a dream come true. Flowers are my art form, so anytime I need that creative recharge it’s a blessing to be able to walk into the studio and get lost in the blooms for a minute! Coming up on the first anniversary of the acquisition and transition has left me reflecting- It has not been easy in the slightest, but I can’t imagine pouring my passion into anything else.
In the last year, Blushington Blooms has rolled out a growing flower subscription service, Signature Stems, where subscribers receive a monthly styled bundle of blooms, curated by our award winning and featured team of designers. We have added on two new faces to our ever expanding team, and collaborated with some topnotch vendors for historical projects. (Like giving away a wedding valued at $100,000!) As we head into the close of this year, my goals have never been higher, and I look forward to taking all I have learned into this next season.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Adaptability. Having the ability and willingness to work under pressure with constantly changing factors. Some would call this making lemonade out of lemons- but I believe that in order to be successful you can never become complacent. Integrity. Doing the right thing and holding true to your values. This ensures that you will do right by your clients every time, no matter the circumstance. Your employees and colleagues should be able to fully depend on you to make the right decision for your business.
Confidence. Toss aside your self doubt and worries. Confidence is key to landing new clients and expanding your business. There will never be a “right time” to tackle a new project, and the greatest entrepreneurs I know never waited for their chance. As a small business owner, it all comes down to how much you are willing to give to see your goals met.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
We are always looking to add to our team of designers and set up team! The wedding industry is a fast paced and creative environment- bringing our clients wildest dreams into reality! We service the greater Dallas Fort Worth metroplex. Motivated individuals who work well under short time frames thrive in this position. Floral experience is a bonus, but by no means required! If you are interested in learning more about becoming a part of our floral team, please email us at [email protected].
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.blushingtonblooms.com/
- Instagram: @blushingtonblooms
Image Credits
Jamie Park Photography Hannah Way Photography